Apparatus for applying noise-reducing elements to a tyre for vehicle wheels

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for applying noise-reducing elements to a tyre for vehicle wheels that has a radially inner surface with a service area and a circumferential dimension. The apparatus determines the position in circumferential direction of the service area, determines the position in circumferential direction of a target area on the radially inner surface of the tyre based on the position in circumferential direction of the service area, and applies a noise-reducing element the target area. The position in circumferential direction of the service area is determined by circumferentially inspecting the radially inner surface of the tyre starting from a reference position, detecting the angular position of the service area with respect to the reference position and determining the position in circumferential direction of the service area based on the angular position and on the circumferential dimension of the radially inner surface of the tyre.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/469,088 filed on Jun. 12,2019, which is the U.S. National Stage of International PatentApplication No. PCT/IB2017/058218 filed on Dec. 20, 2017 which, in turn,claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102016000130514 filedon Dec. 23, 2016, the contents of each of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for applyingnoise-reducing elements to a tyre for vehicle wheels.

Preferably, the process and the apparatus of the present invention allowan automatic or substantially automatic application of theaforementioned noise-reducing elements on the tyre.

Definitions

The term “automatic” is used to indicate an operation carried out bymechanical devices, without the need for manual intervention of anoperator.

The term “mechanical devices” is used to indicate devices that areentirely mechanical, electro-mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic,possibly controlled by a control unit through suitable software.

The expression “substantially automatic” is used to indicate that mostof the operations are carried out by the aforementioned mechanicaldevices and the manual intervention of an operator is limited to a fewspecific operations. In the specific case of the present invention, themanual intervention of the operator is at most limited to the initialarrangement of the noise-reducing elements, for example to thepositioning of the noise-reducing elements on a support device, like forexample a conveyor belt, a roller conveyor, etc.

The expression “noise-reducing element” is used to indicate an elementthat, once associated with a tyre for vehicle wheels, has the capabilityto reduce the noise produced by the tyre during use. Such a capabilityis preferably given to the aforementioned element by the type ofmaterial from which the aforementioned element is made. A materialsuitable for this purpose is for example a sound-absorbing porousmaterial, like for example a foamed polymeric material, for exampleopen-cell foamed polyurethane.

The expression “elastomeric material” is used to refer to a compositioncomprising at least one elastomeric polymer and at least one reinforcingfiller. Preferably, such a composition further comprises additives like,for example, a cross-linking agent and/or a plasticizer. Thanks to thepresence of the cross-linking agent, such a material can be cross-linkedthrough heating, so as to form the final manufactured product.

The terms “radial” and “axial” and the expressions “radiallyinner/outer” and “axially inner/outer” are used with reference to theradial direction of the tyre (i.e. to a direction perpendicular to therotation axis of the tyre) and to the axial direction of the tyre (i.e.to a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the tyre). The terms“circumferential” and “circumferentially”, on the other hand, are usedwith reference to the annular extension of the tyre.

The expression “feeding direction” is used to indicate a direction ofmovement parallel to the longitudinal direction of a support device,like for example a conveyor belt, a roller conveyor, etc. The feedingdirection thus corresponds to the advancing direction of the item whichis arranged above the support device.

The expressions “bottom”, “under”, “lower” or “below”, and “top”,“above”, “upper” or “over” are used to indicate a relative position withrespect to the aforementioned support device.

The expressions “downstream” or “head”, and “upstream” or “tail”, areused with reference to the aforementioned feeding direction. Therefore,assuming for example a feeding direction from left to right, a“downstream” or “head” position with respect to any reference elementindicates a position to the right of said reference element and an“upstream” or “tail” position indicates a position to the left of saidreference element.

The expression “target area” is used to indicate an area of the radiallyinner surface of the tyre on which a noise-reducing element has to bedeposited.

The expression “service area” is used to indicate an area of theradially inner surface of the tyre on which a noise-reducing elementdoes not have be deposited, for example because it is foreseen that atsuch a service area the tyre will be equipped with an electronic deviceconfigured to detect operating parameters of the tyre, like for examplepressure, acceleration, temperature, etc.

The term “image” is used to indicate in general a set of data, typicallycontained in a computer file, in which each n-tuple of coordinates(typically each pair of coordinates) of a finite set (typicallytwo-dimensional and matrix-type, i.e. N rows×M columns) of n-tuples ofspatial coordinates (each n-tuple corresponding to a “pixel”) isassociated with a corresponding set of numerical values (which can berepresentative of magnitudes of a different type). For example, inmonochromatic images (like the ones in grayscale) such a set of valuesconsists of a single value in a finite scale (typically with 256 levelsor tones), such a value being for example representative of the level ofluminosity (or intensity) of the respective n-tuple of spatialcoordinates when visualized. A further example is represented by colorimages, in which the set of values represents the level of luminosity ofmultiple colors, or channels, typically the primary colors (for examplered, green and blue in RGB coding, whereas cyan, magenta, yellow andblack in CMYK coding). The term “image” does not necessarily imply theactual visualization thereof.

Any reference to a specific “image” more generally includes any imagewhich can be obtained through one or more digital processing operationsof said specific image (like for example filtering, equalization,‘smoothing’, binarization, thresholding, morphological transformations(‘opening’, etc.), derivative or integral calculations, etc.).

BACKGROUND

A tyre for vehicle wheels generally comprises a carcass structurecomprising at least one carcass ply formed of reinforcing cordsincorporated in a matrix of elastomeric material. The carcass ply hasend edges respectively engaged with annular anchoring structures. Thelatter are arranged in the areas of the tyre usually identified by thename “beads” and each of them is normally formed from a substantiallycircumferential annular insert on which at least one filling insert isapplied, in radially outer position. Such annular inserts are commonlyidentified as “bead cores” and have the task of keeping the tyre firmlyfixed to the anchoring seat specifically provided in the rim of thewheel, thus preventing in operation the radially inner end edge of thetyre to come out from such a seat.

Specific reinforcing structures having the function of improving thetorque transmission to the tyre can be provided at the beads.

A crown structure is associated in a radially outer position withrespect to the carcass structure.

The crown structure comprises a belt structure and, in a radially outerposition with respect to the belt structure, a tread band made ofelastomeric material.

The belt structure comprises one or more belt layers arranged radiallyone on top of the other and having textile or metallic reinforcing cordswith a crossed orientation and/or an orientation substantially parallelto the direction of circumferential extension of the tyre.

A layer of elastomeric material, called “under-belt”, can be providedbetween the carcass structure and the belt structure, said layer havingthe function of making the radially outer surface of the carcassstructure as uniform as possible for the subsequent application of thebelt structure.

A so-called “under-layer” can be arranged between the tread band and thebelt structure, the under-layer being made of an elastomeric materialhaving properties suitable for ensuring a steady union of the tread bandto the belt structure.

Respective sidewalls of elastomeric material are applied on the sidesurfaces of the carcass structure, each extending from one of the sideedges of the tread band up to the respective annular anchoring structureto the beads.

EP 1 659 004 describes an example of a tyre comprising, on the radiallyinner surface thereof, noise-reducing elements.

WO 99/41093 discloses a tyre comprising, on the radially inner surfacethereof, an electronic device intended to monitor the performance of thetyre.

WO 2016/067192, to the same Applicant, discloses a process and anapparatus for applying a noise-reducing element to a tyre for vehiclewheels. The noise-reducing element is arranged on a first conveyor beltmoved along a feeding direction and having, on an upper surface thereof,a continuous film which supports a layer of adhesive material. Thenoise-reducing element is subsequently pressed against the continuousfilm so as to make it adhere firmly to a portion of the layer ofadhesive material. As a consequence of the movement of the firstconveyor belt along the feeding direction, the noise-reducing element issubsequently transferred to a second conveyor belt arranged downstreamof the first conveyor belt along the aforementioned feeding direction.During such transferal the continuous film is held at the first conveyorbelt and, as soon as the noise-reducing element has left the firstconveyor belt, the portion of layer of adhesive material that adheres tothe noise-reducing element is detached from the layer of adhesivematerial which is on the first conveyor belt. The noise-reducing elementis finally picked up from the second conveyor belt and positioned in apredetermined position on a radially inner surface of a tyre arranged onan adjacent conveyor belt.

SUMMARY

The Applicant observes that what is described in WO 2016/067192 makes itpossible to achieve a high automation of the gluing process of thenoise-reducing elements to the tyres, in such a way obtaining anincrease in productivity of the lines dedicated to the manufacturing oftyres provided with noise-reducing elements.

The Applicant has considered the problem of carrying out the automaticgluing of noise-reducing elements, according to the ways for exampledescribed in WO 2016/067192, on tyres that have, on the respectiveradially inner surfaces, one or more service areas, for example areas onwhich it is foreseen to apply an electronic device, of the type forexample of that described in WO 99/41093.

The Applicant has observed that in this case it is necessary to avoidthe risk that, during the automatic gluing process of the noise-reducingelements, a noise-reducing element is accidentally deposited on aservice area. In this case it would indeed be impossible to have apossible subsequent application of an electronic device on such aservice area.

The Applicant has perceived that such a risk can be avoided bydetermining the circumferential position, on the radially inner surfaceof the tyre, of the area on which the noise-reducing element (targetarea) has to be deposited based on the position in circumferentialdirection of the service areas.

The Applicant has found that by carrying out an inspection of theradially inner surface of the tyre aimed at identifying the angularposition of a service area with respect to a reference position anddetermining the circumferential distance of such a service area fromsuch a reference position based on its angular position and of thecircumferential dimension of the radially inner surface of the tyre, itis possible to determine, on the radially inner surface of the tyre, oneor more areas distinct from the service areas and on which it ispossible to deposit a noise-reducing element.

The present invention therefore relates, in a first aspect thereof, to aprocess for applying noise-reducing elements to a tyre for vehiclewheels.

Preferably, said tyre has a radially inner surface comprising at leastone service area.

Preferably, said radially inner surface has a predeterminedcircumferential dimension.

Preferably, the position in circumferential direction of said at leastone service area on said radially inner surface of the tyre isdetermined.

Preferably, the position in circumferential direction of at least onetarget area on said radially inner surface of the tyre is determinedbased on the position in circumferential direction of said at least oneservice area.

Preferably, at least one noise-reducing element is applied at said atleast one target area.

Preferably, the position in circumferential direction of said at leastone service area is determined by inspecting said radially inner surfaceof the tyre.

Preferably, said radially inner surface of the tyre is circumferentiallyinspected starting from a predetermined reference position.

Preferably, the position in circumferential direction of said at leastone service area is determined by detecting the angular position of saidat least one service area with respect to said reference position.

Preferably, the position in circumferential direction of said at leastone service area is determined based on said angular position and on thecircumferential dimension of said radially inner surface of the tyre.

The Applicant believes that due to the fact that the position of thearea in which the noise-reducing element (target area) has to be gluedis determined on the basis of the position of the service area(s), theaforementioned process allows the gluing of noise-reducing elements inareas distinct from, and not overlapping to, the service areas.

In a second aspect thereof, the present invention relates to anapparatus for applying noise-reducing elements to a tyre for vehiclewheels.

Preferably, said tyre has a radially inner surface comprising at leastone service area.

Preferably, said radially inner surface has a predeterminedcircumferential dimension.

Preferably, a support device of said tyre is provided.

Preferably, a detection device is provided.

Preferably, said detection device is configured to detect at least oneservice area on said radially inner surface of the tyre.

Preferably, a gripping member which is configured to pick up at leastone noise-reducing element and position it onto at least one target areadefined on the tyre is provided.

Preferably, said at least one target area is defined on said radiallyinner surface of the tyre.

Preferably, a control unit which is operatively associated with saiddetection device is provided.

Preferably, said control unit is configured to determine the position incircumferential direction of said at least one service area on saidradially inner surface of the tyre.

Preferably, said control unit is configured to determine the position incircumferential direction of said at least one target area on saidradially inner surface of the tyre based on the position incircumferential direction of said at least one service area and of saidpredetermined circumferential dimension of said radially inner surfaceof the tyre.

The apparatus described above allows the actuation of the methoddescribed above.

The present invention, in at least one of the aforementioned aspects,can have at least one of the preferred features described hereinafter.

Preferably, inspecting said radially inner surface of the tyre comprisesanalyzing at least one circumferential portion of said radially innersurface of the tyre by means of a sensor.

Preferably, inspecting said radially inner surface of the tyre comprisesmoving said sensor around a reference axis parallel to or coincidingwith a rotation axis of the tyre starting from said reference position.

Preferably, said sensor covers an angle equal to at least 360° aroundsaid reference axis starting from said reference position. In this way,it is possible to identify the possible presence of many service areason the radially inner surface of the tyre.

Preferably, detecting the angular position of said at least one servicearea comprises acquiring a first image of said at least one service areawhen said sensor detects a contrast element provided on said radiallyinner surface of the tyre at said at least one service area.

Preferably, detecting the angular position of said at least one servicearea comprises determining the circumferential distance travelled bysaid sensor with respect to said reference position when said firstimage has been acquired.

Preferably, the position in circumferential direction of said at leastone service area is determined based on said circumferential distance.

Preferably, said contrast element is defined on a film removablyassociated with said radially inner surface of the tyre at said at leastone service area. In this way, it is possible to remove the film oncethe service area has been identified, for example so as to allow apossible subsequent application of an electronic device on such aservice area. The film also makes it possible to keep clean the portionof the radially inner surface of the tyre on which the aforementionedelectronic device will be applied.

Preferably, said contrast element is substantially triangle orarrow-shaped.

Preferably, a vertex of the triangle or arrow is oriented along adirection of removal of said film.

Preferably, said film comprises a main portion and a detection portionadjacent to said main portion and having a first length incircumferential direction and a second length in axial direction.

Preferably, said contrast element is defined on said detection portion.

Preferably, before determining the position in circumferential directionof said at least one service area said tyre is moved along a feedingdirection.

In first embodiments, said film is associated with said radially innersurface of the tyre so that said detection portion is arranged upstreamof said main portion with reference to said feeding direction.

In this case, preferably, said contrast element is arranged on saiddetection portion in an axially centered position.

In second embodiments, said film is associated with said radially innersurface of the tyre so that said detection portion is arrangeddownstream of said main portion with reference to said feedingdirection.

Also in this case, preferably, said contrast element is arranged on saiddetection portion in an axially centered position.

In further embodiments, said film is associated with said radially innersurface of the tyre so that said detection portion is parallel to saidmain portion with reference to said feeding direction.

In this case, preferably, said contrast element is arranged on saiddetection portion in a circumferentially centered position.

Preferably, the position of said detection portion with respect to saidmain portion with reference to said feeding direction is determined bycomparing said first image with a second image acquired by said sensorafter said first image. In this way, it is determined whether thedetection portion is arranged upstream, downstream or parallel to themain portion with reference to said feeding direction.

Preferably, determining the position in circumferential direction ofsaid at least one target area comprises calculating a first lineardimension as a function of said circumferential distance.

Preferably, calculating said first linear dimension comprises adding tosaid circumferential distance, or subtracting from said circumferentialdistance, a second linear dimension. In this way, it is ensured that thecircumferential position of the target area is adjacent to and does notoverlap that of the service areas.

Preferably, the radially inner surface of the tyre comprises at leasttwo service areas.

Preferably, the position in circumferential direction of said at leasttwo service areas is determined.

Preferably, the circumferential distance between said at least twoservice areas is calculated.

Preferably, the position in circumferential direction of said at leastone target area on said radially inner surface of the tyre is determinedbased on the position in circumferential direction of said at least twoservice areas and of the circumferential distance between said at leasttwo service areas.

Preferably, at least one noise-reducing element is applied at said atleast one target area.

Preferably, said noise-reducing elements have a predetermined length incircumferential direction.

Preferably, the number of noise-reducing elements that can be appliedbetween said at least two service areas is determined as a function ofsaid predetermined length in circumferential direction.

Preferably, said sensor is a first camera.

Preferably, said support device is movable along a predetermined feedingdirection.

Preferably, a feeding device configured to feed said at least onenoise-reducing element is provided.

Preferably, said feeding device is movable along a direction parallel tosaid predetermined feeding direction.

Preferably, said detection device is arranged above said support device.

Preferably, said detection device comprises a first camera movable alonga direction parallel to or coinciding with a rotation axis of the tyre.

Preferably, said first camera is rotatable around a reference axisparallel to or coinciding with said rotation axis of the tyre.

Preferably, said first camera is configured to acquire a first image ofsaid at least one service area when said first camera frames said atleast one service area.

Preferably, an encoder is operatively associated with said first camera.Such an encoder makes it possible to obtain numerical information on thecircumferential distance travelled by said first camera during its themovement around the aforementioned reference axis.

Preferably, said control unit is configured to determine thecircumferential distance travelled by said first camera with respect toa reference position when said first camera has acquired said firstimage.

Preferably, said control unit is configured to calculate a first lineardimension based on said circumferential distance and on thecircumferential dimension of said radially inner surface of the tyre.

Preferably, said control unit is configured to compare said first imagewith a second image acquired by said first camera after said firstimage.

Preferably, stop members configured to stop said tyre on said supportdevice are provided at said first camera.

Preferably, a second camera which rotates integral with said firstcamera is provided. Such a second camera can for example be used toidentify possible spots of substances previously applied on the radiallyinner surface of the tyre for different purposes. In this case, thefirst and second camera can advantageously share the electronic andmechanical components necessary for their movement, with consequentadvantages in functional and structural terms. Even more advantageously,the cycle time of the first camera can overlap that of the secondcamera, or vice-versa, with consequent advantages in terms of process(increase in the total cycle time equal to zero).

Preferably, said second camera is oriented at 180° with respect to saidfirst camera. Such a provision makes it possible to avoid possibleoverlapping between the field of view of one camera and that of theother camera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will becomeclearer from the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsthereof, made with reference to the attached drawings.

In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view from above of an example embodiment of anapparatus for automatically applying noise-reducing elements to a tyrefor vehicle wheels in accordance with the present invention, such anapparatus being illustrated in a first operative configuration thereof;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1in the aforementioned first operative configuration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the portion of apparatus of FIG. 1 inan operative configuration different from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view from above of the portion of apparatus ofFIG. 1 in a further operative configuration;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views of a section of a tyre forvehicle wheels on the inner surface of which a plurality ofnoise-reducing elements have been glued through the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 1-4 , reference numeral 1 wholly indicates an exampleembodiment of an apparatus for automatically applying one after theother a plurality of noise-reducing elements 100 on a radially innersurface 501 of a tyre 500 for vehicle wheels, in accordance with thepresent invention.

An example of such a tyre 500 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 .Preferably such a tyre 500 is intended to be used in four-wheelvehicles, more preferably high-performance cars.

The noise-reducing elements 100 are preferably rectangularparallelepiped shaped. More preferably, they have a width comprisedbetween about 100 mm and about 250 mm (in FIGS. 5 and 6 such a width ismeasured in the axial direction), a length comprised between about 100mm and about 300 mm (in FIGS. 5 and 6 such a length is measured in thecircumferential direction) and a thickness comprised between about 15 mmand about 50 mm. However, noise-reducing elements 100 having shape anddimensions different from those indicated here can be used as well.

The noise-reducing elements 100 have, on a face thereof, an adhesivematerial that allows them to be glued on the radially inner surface 501of the tyre 500.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the noise-reducing elements 100 areglued on the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 along thecircumferential direction thereof, by arranging the longer sides of thenoise-reducing elements 100 substantially parallel to the aforementionedcircumferential direction.

The noise-reducing elements 100 are preferably made of sound-absorbingporous material, for example a foamed polymeric material, preferablyopen-cell foamed polyurethane. However, a different material that hasanalogous noise-reducing capabilities can be used.

The density of the noise-reducing elements 100 is preferably comprisedbetween about 20 Kg/m³ and about 200 Kg/m³. In a specific exampleembodiment, such a density is equal to about 40 Kg/m³.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the apparatus 1 comprises a feedingdevice 650 configured to feed the noise-reducing elements 100. In thespecific example illustrated herein, the feeding device 650 is aconveyor belt.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4 , the apparatus 1 further comprises asupport device 700 configured to support one or more tyres 500 on whichthe noise-reducing elements 100 have to be glued.

The support device 700 is adjacent to the feeding device 650 and,preferably, extends parallel thereto.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate three tyres 500 arranged in succession on thesupport device 700 along a feeding direction A. In the specific exampleillustrated herein, the transportation device 700 is a roller conveyorbelt.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , the apparatus 1 furthercomprises a gripping member 30 configured to pick up the noise-reducingelements 100 one after the other from the feeding device 650 andtransfer them towards the support device 700 to finally glue them on theradially inner surface 501 of a first tyre (the one that in FIGS. 1-4 isarranged to the left on the support device 700).

The gripping member 30 preferably comprises a robotized arm 31,preferably of the anthropomorphous type with at least six axes. Therobotized arm 31 is preferably of the overhead type (i.e. it is intendedto be associated with the ceiling or with an aerial beam) so as not tooccupy space on the ground. However, it is alternatively possible to usea robotized arm constrained to the ground.

Preferably, picking up the noise-reducing elements 100 from the feedingdevice 650 and gluing them on the radially inner surface 501 of theaforementioned first tyre takes place as described in WO 2016/067192.

Once the gluing operations of all of the noise-reducing elements 100 onthe aforementioned first tyre are complete, such a first tyre is pickedup and its place is taken by a second tyre (the one that in FIGS. 1-4 isarranged on the support device 700 immediately upstream of theaforementioned first tyre with reference to the feeding direction A), soas to be able to proceed to proceed with the gluing of a plurality ofnoise-reducing elements 100 on this last tyre 500. The movement of theaforementioned second tyre to the position occupied by the first tyretakes place due to the movement of the support device 700 along thefeeding direction A. Such movement takes a third tyre (the one that inFIGS. 1-4 is arranged to the right on the support device 700, i.e.immediately upstream of the aforementioned second tyre with reference tothe feeding direction A) in the position that in FIGS. 1-4 is occupiedby the aforementioned second tyre.

During the gluing operations, the tyre 500 on which the noise-reducingelements 100 are glued (the one arranged to the left on the supportdevice 700 in FIGS. 1-4 ) is held in position on the support device 700by suitable holding members 710. In the specific example illustratedherein, such holding members 710 can be moved vertically with respect tothe support device 700 and are uniformly distributed around the tyre500, so as to also obtain the centering of the tyre 500 with respect tothe aforementioned holding members 710. In particular, in the specificexample illustrated herein six holding members 710 which are equallyspaced apart angularly from each other by 60° are provided.

The feeding device 650 moves the noise-reducing elements 100 in sequencealong a direction A′ that, preferably, is parallel to the feedingdirection A of the tyre 500, until they are brought to a position inwhich they are picked up by the gripping member 30.

Upstream of the feeding device 650, with reference to the direction A′,a transferring conveyor 600 that takes care to feed the noise-reducingelements 100 onto the feeding device 650 is provided.

The feeding device 650 and the transferring conveyor 600 are thereforealigned, and arranged in succession, along the direction A′.

The passage of the noise-reducing elements 100 from the transferringconveyor 600 to the feeding device 650 preferably takes place as aconsequence of the synchronous movement of the transferring conveyor 600and of the feeding device 650 along the direction A′. As soon as eachnoise-reducing element 100 is arranged, preferably entirely, above thefeeding device 650, the latter is moved along the direction A′ whilekeeping the transferring conveyor 600 stationary, so as to move thenoise-reducing element 100 arranged on the feeding device 650 away fromthe one which is immediately subsequent and still arranged on theconveyor belt 600.

Preferably, the noise-reducing elements 100 are fed to the transferringconveyor 600 and, from the latter to the feeding device 650, asdescribed in WO 2016/067192.

The tyre 500 exemplified in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises, on the radiallyinner surface 501 thereof, a service area 250 intended for example toreceive an electronic device configured to detect operating parametersof the tyre 500, like for example pressure, acceleration, temperature,etc.

In the specific example illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , an adhesive film200 is applied onto such a service area 250. The adhesive film 200 canbe removed before a possible application of the aforementionedelectronic device.

The film 200 is substantially quadrangular, preferably rectangular orsquare in shape. It comprises a main portion 200 a and a detectionportion 200 b adjacent to the main portion 200 a and having a contrastelement 210.

Preferably, the film 200 is made of a plastic material.

Preferably, the main portion 200 a is transparent or has an opaquecolor, more preferably black.

Preferably, the detection portion 200 b has a light color, morepreferably white.

Preferably, the contrast element 210 has a dark color, more preferablyblack.

Preferably, the contrast element 210 is shaped like a triangle or, asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , like an arrow, more preferably with avertex thereof oriented so as to indicate the direction of removal ofthe film 200 from the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500.

The detection portion 200 b has a first length in circumferentialdirection and a second length in axial direction.

FIG. 5 shows a first example of application of the film 200 on theradially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500. In this case, the film 200is square in shape and is applied so that the detection portion 200 b isarranged downstream of the main portion 200 a with reference to thefeeding direction A of the tyre 500. The first length of the detectionportion 200 b is in this case shorter than the total circumferentialdimension of the film 200. The film 200 is preferably removed by pullingit in the circumferential direction.

FIG. 6 shows a second example of application of the film 200 on theradially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500. In this case, the film 200is rectangular in shape and is applied so that the detection portion 200b is parallel to the main portion 200 a with reference to the feedingdirection A of the tyre 500. The first length of the detection portion200 b is in this case equal to the total circumferential dimension ofthe film 200. The film 200 is preferably removed by pulling it in theaxial direction.

Preferably, the contrast element 210 is arranged on the detectionportion 200 b in an axially centered position, as for exampleillustrated in FIG. 5 , or in a circumferentially centered position, asfor example illustrated in FIG. 6 .

Each noise-reducing element 100 is glued on the radially inner surface501 of the tyre 500 at a respective target area 150 distinct from theservice area 250, i.e. not even partially overlapping the service area250.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the apparatus 1 comprises adetection device 5 configured to inspect the radially inner surface 501of the tyre 500.

Such an inspection is aimed at detecting the position in circumferentialdirection of the service area 250 on the aforementioned radially innersurface 501. This takes place after the detection of the position incircumferential direction of the contrast element 210.

The detection device 5 is arranged above the support device 700 andupstream with respect to the position occupied by the aforementionedfirst tyre. In the specific example illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 , thedetection device 5 is arranged at the aforementioned second tyre.

Once the position in circumferential direction of the service area 250on the radially inner surface 501 of the aforementioned second tyre hasbeen detected, such a second tyre is moved along the feeding direction Auntil it reaches the position that in FIGS. 1-4 is taken by theaforementioned first tyre, so as to be able to proceed with the gluingof the noise-reducing elements 100 on the radially inner surface 501thereof.

During the detection of the circumferential position of the service area250, the aforementioned second tyre is held in position on the supportdevice 700 by suitable stop members 720. In the specific exampleillustrated herein, such stop members 720 are vertically movable withrespect to the support device 700 and are uniformly distributed aroundthe tyre 500, so as to also obtain the centering of the tyre 500 withrespect to the aforementioned stop members 720. In particular, in thespecific example illustrated herein there are six stop members 720 whichare equally spaced apart angularly from each other by 60°.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the embodiment illustrated hereinthe detection device 5 comprises a sensor, more preferably a firstcamera 10, movable along a direction x parallel to (in the specificexample illustrated herein, coinciding with) a rotation axis of theaforementioned second tyre. The first camera 10 is also rotatable arounda reference axis X parallel to (in the specific example illustratedherein, coinciding with) the rotation axis of the aforementioned secondtyre.

Preferably, when operating the first camera 10 carries out at least onecomplete revolution around the reference axis X.

An encoder 11 is operatively associated with the first camera 10, so asto measure the angular displacement thereof with respect to apredetermined reference position.

The first camera 10 is configured to frame in succession circumferentialportions of the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 during itsmovement around the reference axis X and to acquire a first image ofsuch a radially inner surface 501 when the contrast element 210 and,therefore, the service area 250 is framed.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a control unit 50 operatively associatedwith the detection device 5 and configured to determine the position incircumferential direction of the service area 250.

The control unit 50 is also configured to determine, based on theposition in circumferential direction of the service area 250 and thecircumferential dimension of the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre500, the position in circumferential direction of each target area 150and to control the gripping member 30 so that each noise-reducingelement 100 is glued on the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500at a respective target area 150.

The control unit 50 is also configured to determine the circumferentialdistance travelled by the first camera 10 with respect to theaforementioned reference position when the first camera 10 has acquiredthe aforementioned first image.

The control unit 50 is also configured to calculate a first lineardimension based on the aforementioned circumferential distance travelledby the first camera 10 and on the circumferential dimension of theradially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500.

The control unit 50 is also configured to acquire a second image afterthe aforementioned first image and to determine the orientation of thedetection portion 200 b with respect to the main portion 200 a throughcomparison of the two images acquired.

Again with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the apparatus 1 also comprises asecond camera 20 integral in rotation with the first camera 10 andpreferably oriented at 180° with respect to the first camera 10.

The second camera 20 is used to inspect the radially inner surface 501of the tyre 500 for other purposes.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , preferably, a first pair of light sources 21a is arranged above the second camera 20 and a second pair of lightsources 21 b is arranged below the second camera 20.

Preferably, the light sources 21 a, 21 b emit UV light and cooperatewith the second camera 20 to detect the presence on the radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500 of possible spots of, or areas coated by,substances specifically applied previously on the radially inner surface501 of the tyre 500 for the aforementioned other purposes.

The cameras 10 and 20 and the light sources 21 a, 21 b are mounted on asingle upright 25 which is movable along the direction x and rotatablearound the reference axis X.

A preferred embodiment of a process for automatically applying thenoise-reducing elements 100 to the tyre 500 will now be described. Inparticular, it is a process which can be carried out by the apparatus 1described above.

Through such a process it is possible to determine the circumferentialposition on the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 of aplurality of target areas 150, on which automatically gluing thenoise-reducing elements 100, based on the circumferential position onthe radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 of one or more serviceareas 250, ensuring the complete non-overlapping between target areas150 and service areas 250.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the noise-reducing elements 100 are fed insequence on the feeding device 650 by the transferring conveyor 600along the direction A′.

Before or at the same time as the feeding of the noise-reducing elements100 on the feeding device 650, the tyre 500 on which the noise-reducingelements 100 have to be glued is arranged on the support device 700 andmoved along the feeding direction A until it is positioned below theupright 25, with the rotation axis of the tyre 500 substantially alignedwith the reference axis X. Such a position corresponds to the positiontaken by the tyre 500 that previously was indicated as: second tyre.

Once this position has been reached, the stop members 720 are activatedin order to hold the tyre 500 in position on the support device 700(FIG. 2 ).

Thereafter, the upright 25 is moved downwards along the direction xuntil the cameras 10 and 20 are arranged inside the cavity defined bythe radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 (FIG. 3 ).

Before or after movement of the upright 25 along the direction x, thefirst camera 10 is brought into the aforementioned reference position.

Preferably, such a reference position is the position in which the firstcamera 10 is arranged parallel to the feeding direction A and with thevisual range thereof oriented downstream with reference to theaforementioned feeding direction A.

Thereafter, the rotation of the upright 25 around the aforementionedreference axis X is activated and the inspection of the radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500 by the cameras 10 and 20 begins.

When the first camera 10 frames the contrast element 210, it acquires afirst image of the framed portion of radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500.

At the same time as the acquisition of such a first image the encoder 11supplies as output the angular position of the contrast element 210 withrespect to the aforementioned reference position.

Continuing in its rotation around the reference axis X, a second imageis acquired immediately after having acquired the first image the firstcamera 10.

Thereafter, the upright 25 is moved upwards along the direction x untilthe cameras 10 and 20 are arranged outside of the cavity defined by theradially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500.

The tyre 500 is subsequently moved along the direction A until itreaches the position in which the gluing of the noise-reducing elements100 is carried out. Such a position corresponds to the position taken bythe tyre 500 that previously was indicated as: first tyre.

Meanwhile, the control unit 50, knowing the aforementioned angularposition and the circumferential dimension of the radially inner surface501 of the tyre 500, calculates the circumferential distance that thefirst camera 10 has travelled with respect to said reference positionwhen said first image was acquired and, based on said circumferentialdistance, a first linear dimension identifying the position incircumferential direction of the contrast element 210 with respect tothe aforementioned reference position is calculated.

The control unit 50 also compares the two images acquired and determinesthe orientation of the film 200 on the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500. In particular, the control unit 50 determines whether the film200 is associated with the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 sothat the detection portion 200 b is arranged upstream of, downstream of,or parallel to the main portion 200 a with reference to the feedingdirection A.

As described below with reference to some specific examples, dependingon the orientation of the film 200 and on the direction of rotation ofthe first camera 10 around the reference axis X, the control unit 50adds/subtracts a second linear dimension to/from the aforementionedfirst linear dimension.

The aforementioned second linear dimension is calculated as the sumbetween the distance that separates the contrast element 210 from one ofthe edges of the film 200 in circumferential direction and apredetermined value of spacing apart from said edge. In this way, it ispossible to ensure that the first target area is totally not overlappingthe service area 250 along the circumferential direction. The controlunit 50 consequently controls the gripping member 30 so that thegripping member 30 positions a first noise-reducing element on saidfirst target area.

Preferably, if the first camera 10 rotates around the reference axis Xin the anti-clockwise direction, the control unit 50 adds said secondlinear dimension to the aforementioned first linear dimension. If, onthe other hand, the first camera 10 rotates around the reference axis Xin the clockwise direction, the control unit 50 subtracts said secondlinear dimension from the aforementioned first linear dimension.

Preferably, the first noise-reducing element is glued immediatelydownstream of the film 200.

The subsequent noise-reducing elements 100 are successively glued one ata time on the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 at apredetermined distance from the noise-reducing element 100 which hasbeen glued immediately before. Such a distance is preferably calculatedas a function of the difference between the circumferential dimension ofthe radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 and the sum of thelengths in circumferential direction of all of the noise-reducingelements 100.

Preferably, the last noise-reducing element 100 is glued upstream of thefilm 200, considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation.

If there are two or more service areas 250 on the radially inner surface501 of the tyre 500, the control unit 50 carries out the followingactions:

-   -   determining the position in circumferential direction of the two        service areas 250 or, in the case in which more than two service        areas 250 are provided, the position in circumferential        direction of two circumferentially consecutive service areas        250;    -   calculating the circumferential distance between said at least        two service areas 250;    -   determining the number of noise-reducing elements 100 which can        be applied between said two service areas 250 and, based on the        position in circumferential direction of said two service areas        250, the circumferential distance between said two service areas        250, and the length in circumferential direction of the        noise-reducing elements 100, the position in circumferential        direction of the respective target areas 150 on the radially        inner surface 501 of the tyre 500.

EXAMPLES Example 1

FIG. 5 shows a film 200 glued onto the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 with the detection portion 200 b arranged downstream withrespect to the main portion 200 a along the feeding direction A.

The first noise-reducing element must be applied immediately downstreamof the film 200 considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation,thus observing FIG. 5 to the left of the film 200.

The film 200 has a length in circumferential direction of 90 mm and anaxial length of 90 mm.

The contrast element 210 is 5 mm away from the circumferentially closestedge of the film 200 (the left edge in FIG. 5 ) and 85 mm away from thecircumferentially farthest away edge of the film 200 (the right edge inFIG. 5 ).

The aforementioned predetermined value of spacing apart from the edge ofthe film 200 in circumferential direction is equal to 5 mm.

The aforementioned second linear dimension is therefore equal to 10 mm.Such a value is obtained as the sum of 5 mm (distance of the contrastelement 210 from the left edge of the film 200) and 5 mm (predeterminedvalue of spacing apart from the left edge of the film 200).

The circumferential dimension of the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 is equal to 2010 mm.

The first camera 10 detects the contrast element 210 at 185° from thereference position, considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation.

Knowing the length in circumferential direction (90 mm) of the film 200and the circumferential dimension (2010 mm) of the radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500, the control unit 50 calculates thecircumferential distance travelled by the first camera 10 when thecontrast element 210 has been detected through the following formula:2010×1×5\360=1032.9 mm. Such a value corresponds to the aforementionedfirst linear dimension.

The control unit 50 controls the gripping member 30 so that the firstnoise-reducing element is glued on the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 downstream of the film 200, considering an anti-clockwisedirection of rotation, at a target area 150 that is separated from theaforementioned reference position by 1032.9+10=1042.9 mm (sum of theaforementioned first linear dimension and of the aforementioned secondlinear dimension).

The control unit 50 also calculates the circumferential distance, withrespect to the reference position, in which each of the furthernoise-reducing elements 100 has to be glued on the radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500, each one at a respective target area 150,by carrying out the following operations and the following calculations.

The length in circumferential direction of the portion of radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500 on which the further noise-reducing elements100 has to be glued is obtained as the difference between thecircumferential dimension of the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre500 and the sum of the length in circumferential direction of theservice area 250, the predetermined value of spacing apart from the edgeof the film 200 in circumferential direction and the length incircumferential direction of the first noise-reducing element. Thecalculation is, therefore: 2010−(90+5+220)=1695 mm.

The number of noise-reducing elements 100 to be glued on theaforementioned portion of radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 isobtained by dividing the length in circumferential direction of theportion of radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 on which thefurther noise-reducing elements 100 has to be glued by the length incircumferential direction of each noise-reducing element 100. Thecalculation is, therefore: 1695/220=7.7

The integer of the value 7.7 is 7. Therefore, there are seven furthernoise-reducing elements 100 to be glued on the aforementioned portion ofradially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500.

The total length of the portion of radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 on which seven noise-reducing elements 100 has to be glued andwhich does not have noise-reducing elements 100 is obtained by asubtraction between the length in circumferential direction of theportion of radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 on which the sevennoise-reducing elements 100 has to be glued and the length incircumferential direction of the seven noise-reducing elements 100 to beglued. The calculation is, therefore: 1695−(220×7)=155 mm.

The circumferential distance between the service area 250 and the firstnoise-reducing element and between the latter and the secondnoise-reducing element to be glued is obtained by dividing the totallength of the portion of radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 onwhich the aforementioned seven noise-reducing elements 100 has to beglued and which does not have noise-reducing elements 100 and the numberof free spaces present in the aforementioned portion of radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500. The calculation is, therefore: 155/7=22.1mm.

The circumferential distance, with respect to the reference position, inwhich the second noise-reducing element has to be glued downstream ofthe second service area, considering an anti-clockwise direction ofrotation, is obtained as the sum of the circumferential distancetravelled by the first camera 10 when the contrast element 210 presenton the film 200 arranged on the service area 250 was detected and thecircumferential distance between the aforementioned service area 250 andthe aforementioned first noise-reducing element to be glued. Thecalculation is, therefore: 1032.9+22.1=1055 mm.

The control unit 50 controls the gripping member 30 so that the secondnoise-reducing element is glued on the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 downstream of the film 200, considering an anti-clockwisedirection of rotation, at a target area 150 that is 1055 mm away fromthe aforementioned reference position.

The other six noise-reducing elements 100 will be glued each downstreamof the previous one at a respective target area 150 that is arranged,with respect to the reference position, at a circumferential distanceequal to the sum of the circumferential distance of the target area 150associated with the previous noise-reducing element 100 and 22.1 mm.

Example 2

The only difference with respect to example 1 is that the film 200 isglued on the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 with thedetection portion 200 b arranged upstream with respect to the mainportion 200 a along the feeding direction A (i.e. oriented at 180° withrespect to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 ).

In this case, the aforementioned second linear dimension is equal to 90mm. Such a value is obtained as the sum of 85 mm (distance of thecontrast element 210 from the left edge of the film 200) and 5 mm(predetermined value of spacing apart from the left edge of the film200).

The control unit 50 controls the gripping member 30 so that the firstnoise-reducing element is glued on the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 downstream of the film 200, considering an anti-clockwisedirection of rotation, at a target area 150 that is 1032.9+85+5=1122.9mm away from the aforementioned reference position, which is the sum ofthe aforementioned first linear dimension, the distance of the contrastelement 210 from the left edge of the film 200 and the aforementionedpredetermined value of spacing apart from the edge of the film 200.

The control unit 50 also calculates the circumferential distance, withrespect to the reference position, in which each of the furthernoise-reducing elements 100 has to be glued on the radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500, each at a respective target area 150,following the same logic described above in example 1.

Example 3

FIG. 6 shows a film 200 glued on the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 with the detection portion 200 b arranged parallel to the mainportion 200 a along the feeding direction A.

The first noise-reducing element must be applied immediately downstreamof the film 200 considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation,thus observing FIG. 6 to the left of the film 200.

The film 200 has a length in circumferential direction of 120 mm and anaxial length of 90 mm.

The contrast element 210 is 60 mm away from the opposite edges of thefilm 200 in circumferential direction.

The aforementioned predetermined value of spacing apart from the edge ofthe film 200 in circumferential direction is equal to 5 mm.

The aforementioned second linear dimension is therefore equal to 65 mm.Such a value is obtained as the sum of 60 mm (distance of the contrastelement 210 from the left edge of the film 200) and 5 mm (predeterminedvalue of spacing apart from the left edge of the film 200).

The circumferential dimension of the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre is equal to 2060 mm.

The first camera 10 detects the contrast element 210 at 285° from thereference position, considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation.

Knowing the length in circumferential direction (120 mm) of the film 200and the circumferential dimension (2060 mm) of the radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500, the control unit 50 calculates thecircumferential distance travelled by the first camera 10 when thecontrast element 210 was detected through the following formula:2060×285\360=1630.8 mm. Such a value corresponds to the aforementionedfirst linear dimension.

The control unit 50 controls the gripping member 30 so that the firstnoise-reducing element is glued on the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 downstream of the film 200, considering an anti-clockwisedirection of rotation, at a target area 150 that is 1630.8+65=1695.8 mmaway from the aforementioned reference position, which is the sum of theaforementioned first linear dimension and the aforementioned secondlinear dimension.

The control unit 50 also calculates the circumferential distance, withrespect to the reference position, in which each of the furthernoise-reducing elements 100 has to be glued on the radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500, each at a respective target area 150,following the same logic described above in example 1.

Example 4

The only difference with respect to example 3 is that the film 200 isglued on the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 with thedetection portion 200 b arranged upstream with respect to the mainportion 200 a along the feeding direction A (i.e. rotated by 90° in theclockwise direction with respect to the position illustrated in FIG. 6).

The contrast element 210 is 5 mm away from the right edge of the film200 and 85 mm away from the left edge of the film 200.

In this case, the aforementioned second linear dimension is equal to 90mm. Such a value is obtained as the sum of 85 mm (distance of thecontrast element 210 from the left edge of the film 200) and 5 mm(predetermined value of spacing apart from the left edge of the film200).

The control unit 50 controls the gripping member 30 so that the firstnoise-reducing element is glued on the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 downstream of the film 200, considering an anti-clockwisedirection of rotation, at a target area 150 that is away from theaforementioned reference position by 1032.9+85+5=1122.9 mm, which is thesum of the aforementioned first linear dimension, the distance of thecontrast element 210 from the left edge of the film 200 and theaforementioned predetermined value of spacing apart from the edge of thefilm 200.

The control unit 50 also calculates the circumferential distance, withrespect to the reference position, in which each of the furthernoise-reducing elements 100 has to glued on the radially inner surface501 of the tyre 500, each at a respective target area 150, following thesame logic described above in example 1.

Example 5

The tyre 500 has two service areas 250 circumferentially spaced apartfrom each other, on each of which a respective film 200 is arranged.

Each film 200 is arranged with the detection portion 200 b parallel withrespect to the main portion 200 a along the feeding direction A, i.e.like the film 200 in FIG. 6 .

The first noise-reducing element must be applied immediately downstreamof the film 200 arranged on the first service area considering ananti-clockwise direction of rotation.

Each film 200 has a length in circumferential direction of 120 mm and anaxial length of 90 mm.

The contrast element 210 is 60 mm away from the opposite edges of therespective film 200 in circumferential direction.

The aforementioned predetermined value of spacing apart from the edge ofeach film 200 in circumferential direction is equal to 5 mm.

The aforementioned second linear dimension is thus equal to 65 mm. Sucha value is obtained as the sum of 60 mm (distance of the contrastelement 210 from the left edge of the respective film 200) and 5 mm(predetermined value of spacing apart from the left edge of therespective film 200).

The circumferential dimension of the radially inner surface 501 of thetyre is equal to 2060 mm.

Each noise-reducing element 100 has a length in circumferentialdirection equal to 220 mm.

The first camera 10 detects the contrast element 210 present on the film200 arranged on the first service area at 120° from the referenceposition, considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation.

The first camera 10 detects the contrast element 210 present on the film200 arranged on the second service area at 275° from the referenceposition, considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation.

Knowing the length in circumferential direction (120 mm) of the films200 and the circumferential dimension (2060 mm) of the radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500, the control unit 50 calculates thecircumferential distance travelled by the first camera 10 when thecontrast element 210 present on the film 200 arranged on the firstservice area was detected through the following formula:2060×120\360=686.6 mm. Such a value corresponds to the aforementionedfirst linear dimension with reference to the film 200 arranged on thefirst service area.

The control unit 50 also calculates the circumferential distancetravelled by the first camera 10 when the contrast element 210 presenton the film 200 arranged on the second service area was detected throughthe following formula: 2060×275\360=1573.6 mm. Such a value correspondsto the aforementioned first linear dimension with reference to the film200 arranged on the second service area.

The control unit 50 calculates the distance, with respect to thereference position, in which theoretically a first noise-reducingelement can be glued immediately downstream of the film 200 arranged onthe first service area, considering an anti-clockwise direction ofrotation, as the sum of 686.6 mm and 65 mm, which is the sum of theaforementioned first linear dimension associated with the film 200arranged on the first service area and the aforementioned second lineardimension. Such a distance is equal to 686.6+65=751.6 mm.

The control unit 50 calculates the distance, with respect to thereference position, in which theoretically a further noise-reducingelement 100 can be glued downstream of the aforementioned firstnoise-reducing element and immediately upstream of the film 200 arrangedon the second service area, considering an anti-clockwise direction ofrotation, as the difference between 1573.6 mm and 65 mm, which is thedifference between the aforementioned first linear dimension associatedwith the film 200 arranged on the second service area and theaforementioned second linear dimension. Such a distance is equal to1508.6 mm.

The control unit 50 calculates the length of the space available betweenthe two service areas 250 for gluing an integer of noise-reducingelements 100 at respective target areas 150. Such a length is calculatedas the difference between 1508.6 mm and 751.6 mm and is equal to 757 mm.

The integer of noise-reducing elements 100 which can be glued in theaforementioned space is calculated as described below.

If it is wished for the noise-reducing elements 100 to be equally spacedin the aforementioned space, the aforementioned integer is obtained bydividing the space available between the two service areas 250 (757 mm)by the length in circumferential direction of each of the noise-reducingelements 100 (220 mm). The following formula applies: 757/220=3.4. Theinteger of noise-reducing elements 100 relative to the value 3.4 is 3.Therefore, between the two service areas 250 it is possible to gluethree equally spaced noise-reducing elements 100.

The control unit 50 calculates the total length of the portion ofradially inner surface 501 defined between the two service areas 250 andwhich does not have noise-reducing elements 100 through the followingformula: 757−(220×3)=97 mm (difference between the space availablebetween the two service areas 250 for gluing the three noise-reducingelements 100 and the sum of the length in circumferential direction ofthe aforementioned three noise-reducing elements 100).

The control unit 50 calculates the circumferential distance between twocircumferentially adjacent noise-reducing elements 100 and between eachof the two service areas 250 and the circumferentially adjacentnoise-reducing element 100, dividing the total length of the portion ofradially inner surface 501 defined between the two service areas 250 andwhich does not have noise-reducing elements 100 (97 mm) by the number offree interspaces present in the aforementioned portion of radially innersurface 501 (2 spaces). Such a circumferential distance is equal to97/2=48.5 mm.

The control unit 50 thus calculates the circumferential distance, withrespect to the reference position, in which a first noise-reducingelement has to be actually glued downstream of the film 200 arranged onthe first service area, considering an anti-clockwise direction ofrotation, as the sum of 686.6 mm (first linear dimension associated withthe film 200 arranged on the first service area) and 65 mm (secondlinear dimension). Such a distance is equal to 868.6+65=751.6 mm.

The control unit 50 thus controls the gripping member 30 so that thefirst noise-reducing element is glued on the radially inner surface 501of the tyre 500 downstream of the film 200 arranged on the first servicearea, considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation, at a targetarea 150 that is 751.6 mm away from the aforementioned referenceposition.

The control unit 50 calculates the circumferential distance, withrespect to the reference position, in which a noise-reducing element 100(hereinafter indicated as second noise-reducing element) can be glueddownstream of the aforementioned first noise-reducing element,considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation, as the sum of 751.6mm (circumferential distance, with respect to the reference position, ofthe first noise-reducing element) and 220 mm (length in circumferentialdirection of the first noise-reducing element) and 48.5 mm(circumferential distance between the first noise-reducing element to beglued and the second noise-reducing element to be glued). Such adistance is equal to 751.6+220+48.5=1020.1 mm.

The control unit 50 thus controls the gripping member 30 so that thesecond noise-reducing element is glued on the radially inner surface 501of the tyre 500 downstream of the film 200 arranged on the first servicearea, considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation, at a targetarea 150 that is 1020.1 mm away from the aforementioned referenceposition.

The control unit 50 calculates the circumferential distance, withrespect to the reference position, in which a noise-reducing element 100(hereinafter indicated as third noise-reducing element) can be glueddownstream of the aforementioned second noise-reducing element,considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation, as the sum of1020.1 mm (circumferential distance, with respect to the referenceposition, of the second noise-reducing element) and 220 mm (length incircumferential direction of the second noise-reducing element) and 48.5mm (circumferential distance between the second noise-reducing elementto be glued and the third noise-reducing element to be glued). Such adistance is equal to 1020.1+220+48.5=1288.6 mm.

The control unit 50 thus controls the gripping member 30 so that thethird noise-reducing element is glued on the radially inner surface 501of the tyre 500 downstream of the film 200 arranged on the first servicearea, considering an anti-clockwise direction of rotation, at a targetarea 150 that is 1288.6 mm away from the aforementioned referenceposition.

The control unit 50 also calculates the circumferential distance, withrespect to the reference position, in which each of the furthernoise-reducing elements 100 can be glued on the radially inner surface501 of the tyre 500, each at a respective target area 150, through thefollowing operations and the following calculations.

The length in circumferential direction of the portion of radially innersurface 501 of the tyre 500 on which the further noise-reducing elements100 has to be glued is obtained as the difference between thecircumferential dimension of the radially inner surface 501 of the tyre500 and the sum of the circumferential distance between the first twoservice areas 250, the length in circumferential direction of each ofthe first two service areas 250 and the predetermined value of spacingapart from the edge of each of the two films 200 in circumferentialdirection. The calculation is, therefore: 2060−(757+5+5+120+120)=1053mm.

The number of noise-reducing elements 100 to be glued on theaforementioned portion of radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 isobtained by dividing the length in circumferential direction of theportion of radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 on which thefurther noise-reducing elements 100 has to be glued by the length incircumferential direction of each noise-reducing element 100. Thecalculation therefore: 1053/220=4.7.

The integer that is relative to the value 4.8 is 4. Therefore, there arefour further noise-reducing elements 100 to be glued on theaforementioned portion of radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500.

The total length of the portion of radially inner surface 501 of thetyre 500 on which the four noise-reducing elements 100 have to be gluedand which does not have noise-reducing elements 100 is obtained as asubtraction between the length in circumferential direction of theportion of radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500 on which the fournoise-reducing elements 100 have to be glued and the length incircumferential direction of the four noise-reducing elements 100 to beglued. The calculation is, therefore: 1053−(220×4)=173 mm.

The circumferential distance between service area 250 andcircumferentially adjacent noise-reducing element 100 and between thelatter and another circumferentially adjacent noise-reducing element 100is obtained by dividing the total length of the portion of radiallyinner surface 501 of the tyre 500 on which the aforementioned fournoise-reducing elements 100 have to be glued and which does not havenoise-reducing elements 100 and the number of free spaces present in theaforementioned portion of radially inner surface 501 of the tyre 500.The calculation is, therefore: 173/5=34.6 mm.

The circumferential distance, with respect to the reference position, inwhich the first of the further four noise-reducing elements 100 has tobe glued downstream of the second service area, i.e. the fourthnoise-reducing element from the first service area, considering ananti-clockwise direction of rotation, is obtained as the sum of thecircumferential distance travelled by the first camera 10 when thecontrast element 210 present on the film 200 arranged on the secondservice area was detected and the circumferential distance between thesecond service area and the aforementioned fourth noise-reducing elementto be glued. The calculation s, therefore: 1573.6+34.6=1608.2 mm.

The circumferential distance, with respect to the reference position, inwhich the second of the further four noise-reducing elements 100 has tobe glued downstream of the second service area, i.e. the fifthnoise-reducing element from the first service area, considering ananti-clockwise direction of rotation, is obtained as the sum of thecircumferential distance, with respect to the reference position, of theaforementioned fourth noise-reducing element, the length incircumferential direction of the aforementioned fourth noise-reducingelement and the circumferential distance between the fourthnoise-reducing element to be glued and the aforementioned fifthnoise-reducing element to be glued. The calculation is, therefore:1608.2+220+34.6=1862.8 mm.

The circumferential distance, with respect to the reference position, inwhich the third of the further four noise-reducing elements 100 has tobe glued downstream of the second service area, i.e. the sixthnoise-reducing element from the first service area, considering ananti-clockwise direction of rotation, is obtained as the sum of thecircumferential distance, with respect to the reference position, of theaforementioned fifth noise-reducing element, the length incircumferential direction of the aforementioned fifth noise-reducingelement and the circumferential distance between the fifthnoise-reducing element to be glued and the aforementioned sixthnoise-reducing element to be glued. The calculation is, therefore:1862.8+220+34.6=2117.4 mm.

The circumferential distance, with respect to the reference position, inwhich fourth of the further four noise-reducing elements 100 has to beglued downstream of the second service area, i.e. the seventhnoise-reducing element from the first service area, considering ananti-clockwise direction of rotation, is obtained as the sum of thecircumferential distance, with respect to the reference position, of theaforementioned sixth noise-reducing element, the length incircumferential direction of the aforementioned sixth noise-reducingelement and the circumferential distance between the sixthnoise-reducing element to be glued and the aforementioned seventhnoise-reducing element to be glued. The calculation is, therefore:2117.4+220+34.6=2372 mm.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for applying noise-reducing elements to a tyre for vehicle wheels, said tyre having a radially inner surface comprising at least one service area and having a circumferential dimension, comprising: a support device configured to support said tyre; a detection device configured to detect at least one service area on said radially inner surface of the tyre; a gripping member configured to pick up at least one noise-reducing element and place it on at least one target area defined on said radially inner surface of the tyre; and a control unit operatively associated with said detection device and configured to determine a position in circumferential direction of said at least one service area on said radially inner surface of the tyre and to determine a position in circumferential direction of said at least one target area on said radially inner surface of the tyre based on the position in circumferential direction of said at least one service area and on said circumferential dimension of said radially inner surface of the tyre.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support device is movable along a set feeding direction.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a feeding device configured to feed said at least one noise-reducing element, said feeding device being movable along a direction parallel to said set feeding direction.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detection device is arranged above said support device.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detection device comprises a first camera movable along a direction parallel to or coinciding with a rotation axis of the tyre and rotatable around a reference axis parallel to or coinciding with said rotation axis of the tyre, said first camera being configured to acquire a first image of said at least one service area when said first camera frames said at least one service area.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, comprising an encoder operatively associated with said first camera.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control unit is configured to determine a circumferential distance travelled by said first camera with respect to a reference position when said first camera has acquired said first image.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control unit is configured to calculate a first linear dimension based on said circumferential distance and on the circumferential dimension of said radially inner surface of the tyre.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control unit is configured to compare said first image with a second image acquired by said first camera after said first image.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 5, comprising stop members configured to stop said tyre on said support device at said first camera.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a second camera which rotates integral with said first camera.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second camera is oriented at 180° with respect to said first camera. 